BALTIMORE -- In case it wasnt evident before opening day, we now know why the Baltimore Orioles added another slugger to a team that led the major leagues in home runs last season. Nelson Cruz celebrated his Orioles debut by hitting a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning, and Baltimore beat Jon Lester and the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox 2-1 Monday. Signed as a free agent in February, Cruz lined a solo shot into the left field seats to put the Orioles ahead. He hit 27 homers last year with Texas during a season marred by a 50-game suspension from Major League Baseball in the Biogenesis drug scandal. Cruz joins a batting order that features Chris Davis, who led the majors in 2013 with 53 homers and 138 RBIs. Davis went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts as the cleanup hitter, but it didnt matter because the guy in the 5-hole picked up the slack. "It takes some of the pressure off everybody in the lineup knowing that you can pass the baton and the next guy can pick it up," Davis said. "We have to know as hitters going into the game that we can be patient, we can wait for our pitch, knowing that the guy behind us can pick us up." Cruz, meanwhile, couldnt have been more delighted. Not only did the Orioles provide him with a fresh start, but the fans chanted "Cruuuuuze!" every time his name was announced. "It was really neat, it was special," he said. "I made the right call to come and be part of this organization, be part of this town." Cruz wasnt the only player to enjoy a successful start with his new team. After missing two seasons recovering from knee surgery, Boston centre fielder Grady Sizemore marked his return from a 922-day absence with a second-inning single for his first hit since September 2011. The three-time All-Star for Cleveland later hit his first home run since July 15, 2011, which also came at Camden Yards. "Today was very exciting," Sizemore said. "I couldnt wait to get to the ballpark." Zach Britton (1-0) got the win with two scoreless innings of relief and Tommy Hunter got three outs for the save. Hunter earned the job as closer this spring after the Orioles dealt away Jim Johnson during the off-season. The Red Sox got two on with one out in the ninth before World Series MVP David Ortiz hit a flyball and Jackie Bradley Jr. took a called third strike. "Its life in baseball," Hunter said. "Youve got to earn everything you get. One-run game to start the season off against the defending world champs." Starting on the road for the fourth year in a row, the Red Sox got nine hits but stranded 12 and went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position. "We had a lot of opportunities, we had a lot of guys on," second baseman Dustin Pedroia said. "We just hit the ball right at people. It was one of those deals where we couldnt find a way to push runs across." Making his fourth straight opening day start for Boston, Lester (0-1) gave up two runs, six hits and a walk in seven innings. He struck out eight. Orioles starter Chris Tillman allowed one run, seven hits and a walk in five innings. The right-hander went 3-1 against Boston last year, but in this one he needed 104 pitches to get 15 outs. Britton gave up a one-out double to Xander Bogaerts in the sixth and got three straight outs in the seventh, the only time all day that Boston went down in order. Evan Meek walked two in the eighth before Brian Matusz retired A.J. Pierzynski on a comebacker. Gametime temperature was announced at 60 degrees, but a stiff wind chilled many in the crowd of 46,685 -- the 23rd consecutive opening day sellout at Camden Yards. Hopeful that the off-season acquisitions of Cruz and right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez will enable Baltimore to return to the playoffs after missing out last year, Orioles fans were out in force. Until recently, games against Boston often drew as many Red Sox backers as those rooting for the home team. "Our crowd was legit," Hunter said. "That was awesome. I hope they come out like that every game for 80 more here." The Orioles used a walk, a single by Matt Wieters and a double-play grounder to take a 1-0 lead in the second. The Red Sox put runners at second and third with two outs in the third before Tillman struck out Mike Carp. In the fourth, Sizemore hit a 3-1 pitch over the right-field wall. NOTES: Dustin Pedroia got Bostons first hit of the season, a one-out single in the first inning, to extend his hitting streak on opening day to eight games. ... After taking Tuesday off, the teams meet Wednesday night. John Lackey (13-5 lifetime against Baltimore) faces Jimenez in his Orioles debut. ... The Red Sox put RF Shane Victorino (hamstring) on the 15-day disabled list and recalled Bradley. ... Ortiz received his 12th opening day start at DH, tying Don Baylors major league record at the position. Cheap Soccer Jerseys China . Beckham finished 2 for 4, adding a double in the first inning. Chicago has won eight of 12 to get back to .500 (27-27). The White Sox are 6-3 against Cleveland this season after losing 17 of 19 to their American League Central rival in 2013. Mike Aviles went 1 for 2 with a walk and drove in Clevelands run. Cheap Football Jerseys . -- Lara Gut of Switzerland regained the overall World Cup lead with Sundays super-G win in Lake Louise, Alta. http://www.chinasoccerjerseys.com/?tag=c...ortmund-jerseys. -- The Detroit Lions made it crystal clear to Golden Tate that he was their top target in free agency. Cheap Chelsea Jerseys . According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, it doesnt appear the offer was warmly received by the team. Blue Jackets director of hockey operations John Davidson and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said on Wednesday the team has made offers of $6 million for two years, $32 million for six and $46 million over eight years but each one was refused by the restricted free agent centre and agent Kurt Overhardt. Cheap Soccer Jerseys . -- Athletics manager Bob Melvin is already starting to run out of superlatives to describe Scott Kazmir.DENVER -- Up until a few days ago, the Philadelphia 76ers just couldnt find a way to win on the road. Suddenly, they cant be beaten. All right, so its only two road wins. But they hadnt won back-to-back games -- let alone two away from home -- since the starting the season with three wins. Evan Turner scored 23 points and Thaddeus Young added 17, helping the 76ers knock off the slumping Denver Nuggets 114-102 on Wednesday night. "Were beginning to show some signs of what Coach is trying to instil in us," Young said. Namely, to share the ball. Thats been coach Brett Browns primary mantra, which was on display to start the new year. The Sixers had seven different players score in double figures en route to their second straight win away from home. Philadelphia halted a 13-game road losing streak in Los Angeles against the Lakers over the weekend. "Really want to hop on the wagon and keep this going," Turner said. "Were reaping the benefits of our hard work." Meanwhile, the Nuggets are spiraling downward, dropping their eighth game in a row. Its the teams longest skid since losing the final eight games of the 2002-03 season. Denver also has lost some of its Mile High mystique under first-year coach Brian Shaw, losing a fifth straight at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets were a franchise-best 38-3 at home last season. "I feel like we have reached rock bottom," said J.J. Hickson, who had 19 points and 11 rebounds. "Weve lost to some pretty bad teams." This game was ultimately decided in the second quarter, when the Sixers put together a 44-26 period to turn a close game into runaway. Ball movement was the biggest thing as each of the starters scored at least five points in that pivotal surge. It was the most points for the Sixers in a quarter since Feb. 20, 1996, at Orlando when they also had 44. "We just rode the wave and took it into the second half," Turner said. Sure did. Stretching their lead to as many as 16 early in the fourth quarter, the Sixers simply cruised from there while improving to 3-13 on the road, which remains one of the worst marks in the league. There was a brief moment when the game could have changed course, when YYoung was called for a clear path violation after a steal by Ty Lawson with 4:51 remaining.ddddddddddddThe speedy Nuggets point guard made 1 of 2 free throws to make it a 10-point game and they also had the ball out of bounds. But Wilson Chandlers 3-point attempt clanged off the rim. Turner ended any lingering suspense by hitting a turnaround jumper with 3:26 remaining. "Everybody knows exactly what they need to do to go out there and help this team win games," Young said. Randy Foye was back in Denvers starting lineup after surrendering his spot to Jordan Hamilton the last three games. Foye has been struggling with his shot, his defence and not "making plays for his teammates," Shaw explained before the game. Foye wound up with 14 points on 6-of-17 shooting. Shaws reserves have struggled lately, too, which was why he shook up his rotation against the Sixers. Quincy Miller was the first player off the bench, not Hamilton. Evan Fournier and Nate Robinson also received playing time ahead of Andre Miller, who didnt get into the game. According to the Nuggets, this was the first "Did not play -- coachs decision" of Millers career and ended a streak of 239 straight games. Things got so bad that as the Nuggets trudged off the court at intermission, the crowd began to boo. Then again, the fans are not accustomed to losing at home. Shaw understands the frustration. He feels the same way, too. "Its not even a slump right now, its worse than a slump," Shaw said. "Players are coming in and having their way with us. Were not making them uncomfortable, theyre shooting the ball with a high percentage from the 3-point line, were giving up offensive rebounds. Were allowing penetration. "Anyway we can get beat, were getting beat." NOTES: The 68 first-half points were a season high for Philadelphia. ... Young had his streak of scoring 25 or more halted at four games. ... Philly G Michael Carter-Williams had 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists. ... Sixers C Spencer Hawes (first quarter) and Nuggets F Kenneth Faried (third quarter) received technical fouls. ... Andre Miller has missed seven games in his 15-year career, the team said. ' ' '